United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2008-01-18 monographic deposited born digital 30 p. GA 1.13:GAO-08-162 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-162 P0b002ee1803a3d3a f:d08162 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-162 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-162 GAO-08-162 Embassies Entry security Facility management Facility security Safety standards Security assessments Security policies Security regulations Security threats Strategic planning Terrorists Compound Security Upgrade Program Other Written Product A79930

Following the 1998 embassy bombings, the Department of State (State) determined that more than 85 percent of diplomatic facilities did not meet security standards and were vulnerable to terrorist attacks. State's Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) has undertaken a program to replace or upgrade the security of these facilities. As of 2007, OBO had constructed more than 50 new embassies and moved nearly 15,000 staff to safer facilities. However, most remaining facilities will not be replaced in the near term. To address these facilities, OBO has obligated about $140 million per year for its Compound Security Upgrade Program (CSUP). GAO was asked to (1) describe the process that OBO follows to prioritize and plan CSUP projects, including stakeholder involvement; (2) determine the extent to which CSUP projects met contracted cost and time frames and whether OBO has procedures to ensure security upgrades are installed; and (3) assess whether State's CSUP efforts have enhanced posts' abilities to comply with State's physical security standards. To address these objectives, GAO reviewed pertinent State documents, met with State officials in Washington, D.C., and overseas, and traveled to 11 posts in Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East. State provided written comments on a draft of this report and agreed with our findings. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-162/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-162.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-162/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-162.pdf GAO-08-162 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-08-162 Other Written Product GAO-08-162; Embassy Security: Upgrades Have Enhanced Security, but Site Conditions Prevent Full Adherence to Standards; Embassies Entry security Facility management Facility security Safety standards Security assessments Security policies Security regulations Security threats Strategic planning Terrorists Compound Security Upgrade Program Title 722 Section 4865(a)(3)(A) 722 U.S.C. 4865(a)(3)(A)